KRAS mutations are found in 90% of pancreatic cancer cases and 30% of colorectal cancer cases, making it a gene of great interest to cancer researchers. The Multiplex Kit is able to detect and quantify extremely low levels (down to 0.2%) of KRAS mutant DNA in a single assay. Cancer samples are often available in limited quantities. Using the Multiplex Kit, researchers can derive results from low amounts of starting material.

“The KRAS Screening Multiplex Kit delivers a simple yes/no answer as to whether a KRAS mutation exists in smaller samples,” said Dr. Filip Janku of the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, TX. “If researchers were to test for the presence of each possible mutation they could end up performing seven to ten separate PCR experiments only to discover the sample was negative. Multiplex kits such as the KRAS Screening Multiplex Kit allow researchers to screen for multiple mutations in a single reaction, saving time and costly resources.”

Bio-Rad’s ddPCR technology provides an absolute measure of target DNA molecules without the need for a standard curve. Together with the ddPCR KRAS Screening Multiplex Kit, this technology enables detection of a single mutant molecule in a background of 2,000 wild-type molecules (0.05% mutation frequency). Measuring these extremely low levels of mutation abundance could lead to the development of new, less invasive and more sensitive cancer diagnostics.

Filed under: Bio-Rad Product Highlight]]>https://cbt20.wordpress.com/2015/01/21/ddpcr-kras-screening-multiplex-kit/feed/0aviwenerPipetting to the Oldieshttps://cbt20.wordpress.com/2014/12/22/pipetting-to-the-oldies/
https://cbt20.wordpress.com/2014/12/22/pipetting-to-the-oldies/#respondMon, 22 Dec 2014 15:00:45 +0000http://cbt20.wordpress.com/?p=9561]]>Filed under: Of Interest Tagged: graduate students]]>https://cbt20.wordpress.com/2014/12/22/pipetting-to-the-oldies/feed/0aviwenerCanadian Molecular Biologist Exhibits Artwork in Shanghaihttps://cbt20.wordpress.com/2014/12/18/canadian-molecular-biologist-shangai/
https://cbt20.wordpress.com/2014/12/18/canadian-molecular-biologist-shangai/#respondThu, 18 Dec 2014 17:37:44 +0000http://cbt20.wordpress.com/?p=9556]]>Canadian science is world-class and many Canadian scientists are world-renowned. While it is not surprising to find Canadian scientists presenting their findings at locations far from home, it is unusual to hear about Canadian molecular biologists traveling to Shanghai to present an artistic rendition of their work. The scientist/artist, Dr. Campbell, claims that many of his paintings are inspired by cell biology and cardiovascular sciences.

Can you see the resemblance?

Filed under: Of Interest Tagged: Canadian Scientist, science and art]]>https://cbt20.wordpress.com/2014/12/18/canadian-molecular-biologist-shangai/feed/0aviwenerInvestigating Cancer Stem Cellshttps://cbt20.wordpress.com/2014/12/17/investigating-cancer-stem-cells/
https://cbt20.wordpress.com/2014/12/17/investigating-cancer-stem-cells/#respondWed, 17 Dec 2014 15:44:17 +0000http://cbt20.wordpress.com/?p=9554]]>Filed under: Bio-Rad Product Highlight Tagged: Bio-Rad Laboratories, S3 Cell Sorter, stem cell research]]>https://cbt20.wordpress.com/2014/12/17/investigating-cancer-stem-cells/feed/0aviwenerThinking of Summer in the Cold BC Winterhttps://cbt20.wordpress.com/2014/12/16/gzmb/
https://cbt20.wordpress.com/2014/12/16/gzmb/#respondTue, 16 Dec 2014 20:18:24 +0000http://cbt20.wordpress.com/?p=9547]]>A team of scientists from the University of British Columbia have genetically engineered mice that are able to withstand the wrinkle-inducing power of UV light found in the strong summer sun. It has been known for decades that prolonged exposure to the sun over one’s lifetime can cause premature aging and wrinkling of the skin. This has lead to a plethora of anti-aging skin creams and sunscreens that are designed to block out harmful UV rays in the hope of preventing sun-induced wrinkles. Now, Professor David Granville of UBC’s Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine has engineered mice lacking Granzyme B and found that the mice retained youthful-looking skin compared to the aged skin on normal mice. However, the benefits of Granville’s findings are not just limited to youthful looking skin.

Granzyme B (GzmB) is a serine protease that is expressed by a variety of cells and cleaves a number of extracellular membrane (ECM) proteins during inflammatory events. The breakdown of the ECM is known to be an indicator of many chronic inflammatory diseases. Thus, Granville and his team hypothesized that inhibiting the activity of GzmB may work to inhibit the breakdown of ECM during the inflammatory process. When Granville exposed GzmB deficient mice to solar-stimulated UV irradiation, they found that degradation of ECM proteins had slowed down which had manifest itself in the lack of development of expected wrinkles. Based on these findings, Granville has proposed that blocking the activity of GzmB may be an effective method for preventing other diseases associated with ECM degradation such as aneurysms and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease which are caused by the breakdown of collagen and other proteins that provide structure to blood vessels and lung passages.

Filed under: Biotechnology News and Info from Canadian Universities Tagged: University of British Columbia]]>https://cbt20.wordpress.com/2014/12/16/gzmb/feed/0aviwenerTalk Nerdy to Me!https://cbt20.wordpress.com/2014/12/15/talk-nerdy-to-me/
https://cbt20.wordpress.com/2014/12/15/talk-nerdy-to-me/#respondMon, 15 Dec 2014 15:44:39 +0000http://cbt20.wordpress.com/?p=9544]]>Filed under: Of Interest Tagged: graduate students]]>https://cbt20.wordpress.com/2014/12/15/talk-nerdy-to-me/feed/0aviwenerThere is No Truth in Science!https://cbt20.wordpress.com/2014/12/11/truth-science/
https://cbt20.wordpress.com/2014/12/11/truth-science/#respondThu, 11 Dec 2014 20:14:28 +0000http://cbt20.wordpress.com/?p=9537]]>In this enlightening talk, Dr. Kamala Patel from the University of Calgary, tells us something that we all intuitively know but cannot communicate to others. Science is not about truth. Science is a journey. It is about knowledge. Science is an adventure.

Science is like kayaking on a river, where you were a moment ago is not where you are right now.

Filed under: Of Interest Tagged: philosophy of science]]>https://cbt20.wordpress.com/2014/12/11/truth-science/feed/0aviwenerMount Sinai Hospital Scientist Wins World’s Largest Prize for Diabetes Researchhttps://cbt20.wordpress.com/2014/12/10/mount-sinai-hospital-scientist-wins-worlds-largest-prize-for-diabetes-research/
https://cbt20.wordpress.com/2014/12/10/mount-sinai-hospital-scientist-wins-worlds-largest-prize-for-diabetes-research/#respondWed, 10 Dec 2014 20:47:00 +0000http://cbt20.wordpress.com/?p=9535]]>Dr. Daniel Drucker, Senior Investigator at Mount Sinai Hospital’s Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, is the recipient of the world’s most valuable award for diabetes research, the 2014 Manpei Suzuki International Prize. The award, which was announced today by the Manpei Suzuki Diabetes Foundation in Tokyo, recognizes Dr. Drucker’s research in the area of gut hormones and how they control glucose and body weight, which have led to the development of two new classes of therapies for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

“The 2014 Manpei Suzuki International Prize brings tremendous international recognition to the work that we have done for over 25 years, with my trainees and fellow scientists, both at the Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute and at the University of Toronto,” says Dr. Drucker, who is also Professor of Medicine in the Division of Endocrinology at the University of Toronto.“We are honoured that our science has helped in the development of new medications for patients with diabetes, and delighted to have our research achievements recognized by our esteemed colleagues in Japan.”

Image Lab™ Software-Learn Total Protein Normalization from the Experts

Join us for a 30 minute live webinar developed and delivered by our knowledgeable Technical Support Team.

Tuesday, December 9, 2014 | 10:00 AM Pacific

As you get ready to use your new system, we will provide you with an opportunity to learn about total protein normalization using Stain-Free Technology. This training will cover the steps to use Image Lab software to normalize your western blot data, as well as provide guidelines for using housekeeping proteins as loading controls.

The S3e Cell Sorter’s simple setup and walk-away automation allow researchers to sort cells in their own labs.

Bio-Rad Laboratories announced the launch of its S3e Cell Sorter that offers walk-away automation for accurate and reliable cell sorts of one or two populations.

The S3e Cell Sorter builds on the original S3™ Cell Sorter technology with the addition of the new AutoGimbal System. This novel automated system perfectly aligns the nozzle tip and stream to the optics, eliminating the need for manual repositioning. The AutoGimbal System makes these fine adjustments using five motorized controllers. Researchers can now be more confident that their system is set up correctly every time.

Traditionally, researchers have sorted cells at a core lab due to high instrument and operating costs, as well as the need for a trained core staff specialist to help run the sort. The arrival of the affordable and first walk-away S3e Cell Sorter enables labs to have their own personal cell sorter. The simple setup and hands-free calibration eliminate the pain points of typical high-end instruments, making cell sorting easier and accessible to researchers who are increasingly using these instruments for low-complexity sorts.